During my last year of college, I took a required class that broached the subject of what the heck one might do with a fine art degree. On the first day, the professor handed out a list of jobs he’d had. It was two pages long and included teacher, sculptor, plumber, electrician, construction worker, waiter, and many others, some related to art and some not. And then he said something that I think about all the time. He said, “if you want to make art, you shouldn’t go into an art-related field.” His point, from his own experience, was that working a creative industry zaps you, makes creativity feel like a job and a chore. If making art wasn’t that important to you, then maybe a career in a creative field would be the right thing. I took that to heart.

However, after trying both design/art related jobs and jobs that weren’t, I know I don’t agree. Personally. The truth is, I guess I’m not very good at switching back and forth… if I’m going to exercise the artsy half of my brain, it’s got to be done regularly, daily, as much as possible. Although I don’t paint or make wood cuts or art installations anymore, I can now immediately jump into a crafty kind of project after work. As soon as I began working as a designer, I started sewing curtains, placemats, and tote bags, and I signed up for a ceramics class. Because I’m creative for work, I don’t have to switch gears afterward.

But, I’ve also found that it’s easier for me to lie to myself and say that I don’t need to make art because my job is my art. That designing invitations, websites, and packaging fulfills that need. It doesn’t always. Last weekend, inspired by this, my husband and I bought a bunch of colored duct tape and starting wrapping cardboard. I was really stuck on a couple of my work projects, and doing something creative off the computer was just what I needed. OK, so it will probably end up in the closet, but whatever, because it was so much fun to make. It felt like being a kid, when you start playing with your toys and then suddenly hours pass and you’re not sure where they went.

The next morning, I was excited to delve into my design projects. I had all this new energy. And the main thing is that I know I’m on the right track. Spending all day looking at art and design, blogging about it, and designing is necessary for me if I’m going to ever make things in my spare time.

So how about you? Does working in a creative field zap you, or make you more more likely to pick up a paintbrush or camera?

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Howdy Do It came from “how do you do It,” the question Ellie & Margot found themselves asking about their freelance lifestyles, and so Howdy Do It was born, a weekly column about the things we do to keep ourselves organized, inspired and on track. Ellie will be here each Monday, and Margot will be over on Mint at the same time.

You know things are crazy when I have to put off my most favorite way to procrastinate (ie- blogs, especially my own). I’m exactly 2 weeks from launching a website that I’ve spent the last three months designing & coding (okay just one hint: it involves lots of vintage goodness). I can’t wait to share it, but it has to get done before I can do that! So posts will be more sporadic until then. Sorry dudes, hope you don’t mind! Wish me luck too, I predict lots of coffee and at least a few late nights in my near future.

{Photo Credit: Pedestrian Typography}

Poking around in my delicious the other day, revisted Carl Kleiner’s site and saw some exciting new work. What I like about his stuff is that it’s both photography and collage; often has a quirky narrative or absurd twist to it. He’s also got a new blog too!

I’ve been on an office supply kick lately (see here & here). Truth is, my home office needs some work. Last summer we bought a huge storage cabinet from Ikea, which is now overflowing, and I’m really over the cheap plastic drawer things I bought in college. First on the list is a new desk lamp and some plants (light + plants = sanity) but these cute accessories wouldn’t hurt, either.

[1] birch storage boxes, $29.95 [2] tape dispenser, $24 [3] cork organizer, £9 [4] meg mateo-ilasco journal, $32 [5] vintage library cards (for your to-do list!), $3.50 [6] succulents (similar to shown), $60 [7] desk calendar, $18

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Howdy Do It came from “how do you do It,” the question Ellie & Margot found themselves asking about their freelance lifestyles, and so Howdy Do It was born, a weekly column about the things we do to keep ourselves organized, inspired and on track. Ellie will be here each Monday, and Margot will be over on Mint at the same time.

The death of a legend is always thought-provoking, no? You’ll be missed good sir. Via Daily Discoveries on Design + Words & Eggs.

Stunning FoundCOLOURS series by collage artist Anthony Zinonos.